“An artist’s eyes never rest,’ and mine have been working overtime in the Jama Ecuador area! The Cevallos-Sabando family invited me to their Christmas Eve family feast, which is traditionally served around midnight. Their home and country store, located on the prominent corner on incoming Jama Avenue, faces the highly-popular park in the center of town. Throughout the year, friends, neighbors and strangers ebb and flow past the storefront, where an always-changing sidewalk display reflects the current holiday theme. On Christmas Eve, a cluster of people sat in plastic chairs and stared at the nativity scene while family members visited near the corner door and greeted passersby.

The Sabando/Cevallos Family — A Relaxed Greeting Party in Jama Ecuador

I arrived early to help my friends with the preparation of the meal, and was surprised to be immediately seated for an end-of-day meal! Not too hungry, I served a token amount of beef and rice then washed it down with fresh coconut water. Pulling my paring knife from my purse, I then began prepping vegetables. (Sometimes we learn to be prepared!)

When the kitchen duties were finished, I absorbed the buzz of activities in the center of town. Through foreign eyes I witnessed so much more than the goings on in my friends’ downstairs kitchen! Continue reading →

My niece Karen sent images from snow-covered Little Rock, Arkansas last night and this morning. (Thanks again, KK!) Brrrrrrrrrr, the snow is lovely but I am happy to be where the sun is shining with coastal breezes and perpetual springtime temperatures! I would love to feature photos from all of you that reflect your present weather. If you have any you’d like to share, send them to me at tzeebra (at) yahoo. com and I will be happy to design a post with round the world images of December’s weather! (Remember to note the country or state or province!)

Two paintings have demanded my attention this week, and between holiday society and WordPress society (Thank you everyone!) and email greetings, I have not had time to even LOOK at the Christmas images on my camera! Continue reading →